Lufthansa today announced a totally new travel experience for Business Class passengers on its long-haul flights with the introduction of its new Business Class product. Featuring the longest bed in its class, a completely new seat concept and a unique entertainment and information program, the new Business Class product will satisfy customers` expectations of the highest quality, innovation and state-of-the-art technology for which Lufthansa is known.
“With the new Business Class design we are opening up a new dimension for our customers. We offer maximum comfort, more space, more peace and quiet, a diverse information and entertainment program and excellent service on board. The new two meter bed makes a relaxing sleep possible,” said Wolfgang Mayrhuber, Chairman of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. This new product creates the preconditions for stress-free travel by providing an optimal situation for work, entertainment and relaxation, especially for our frequent flyers.” Mayrhuber presented the new Business Class product at Frankfurt Airport together with Thierry Antinori, Lufthansa`s Executive Vice President of Marketing & Sales.
The safety, health and convenience of the customer were major criteria in developing the new Business Class concept. The product will initially go into service around the world with Lufthansa`s new Airbus A340-600 and A330-300 aircraft, which will begin delivery at the end of November. The entire long-haul fleet of approximately 80 aircraft will be successively equipped with the new product. The investment for the new Business Class product will amount to around 300 million Euros (U.S. $350 million).
The new cabin product offers Lufthansa passengers increased comfort from every point of view. “The wishes of our customers are the basis of this new development which we have designed in cooperation with the manufacturer. In order to achieve optimal quality, we also involved our passengers in the development,” explained Thierry Antinori. “Our passengers already tested the functionality of the seat prototypes in the first stages of the project and during numerous flights. The result is a top-class product which sets international standards: a multi-functional seat which guarantees ideal conditions for sleep, work and relaxation at the highest levels.”
Among the main features of the new Business Class product:
Private Bed: Ergonomic seat with a length of two meters (approx. 6.5 feet). Passengers will easily find the ideal sleeping position in the comfortable bed. The surface is completely flat, with a mere nine degree inclination from the floor. The position of the extended bed permits undisturbed sleep. A foldaway screen ensures optimal privacy and helps avoid disturbing the passenger in the next seat. Six independent motors facilitate continuous adjustment of the individual seated and prone positions, which are stored by a memory function so that they can be recalled at any time. The customers will also enjoy greater comfort in the form of seat spacing and the storage space for hand baggage, further enhancing the overall quality. In the future, a special compartment for laptops will be integrated into the seat. Dependent upon the setting, the seat space will increase by 25% compared to the previous Business Class. A special highlight is the built-in massage function, which ensures a feeling of well-being on board. All settings of the seat can be centrally controlled via the remote “Master Control.”
Media World: The Media World, unique in its infotainment capabilities, sets new standards in this area. The user is guided through the innovative entertainment and information program by the Master Control unit. At 10.4 inches, the monitors in the new Business Class are four times the size of their predecessors. Video-on-demand will thus become a special experience. From the extensive program, films can be started at any time, interrupted or advanced or rewound at the passenger`s will. Lufthansa passengers will also have totally new possibilities with audio-on-demand: the individual selection of favorite songs, complete CDs and even audio books; language courses and other information will further prevent boredom from setting in. The Media World will also include a comprehensive range of games.
FlyNet: Following its successful test period in Spring 2003, the Internet is taking wing at Lufthansa. A special section of the Media World is the Internet program. The FlyNet portal, free of charge, allows passengers to call up the latest news, financial, travel and lifestyle reports as well as Miles & More, product and service information from Lufthansa. Regularly updated via satellite, the portal will feature all the latest news in the areas of politics, business, sports and culture, including a variety of information about the relevant destination region. In addition to surfing the Internet, FlyNet also provides access to the customer`s respective company Intranet. Thus the communication service available on board will be considerably extended - the aircraft will become a flying communications center, providing the passenger with a wide range of choice from entertainment via real-time information, writing and receiving emails right through to the latest working conditions.
Business Class Service Concept: With Lufthansa`s award-winning “Connoisseurs on Board” food and wine service, leading international chefs such as Paul Bocuse, Thomas Keller and Nadia Santini create sumptuous menus for Business Class passengers. Markus del Monego, world champion sommelier, selects the noble wines to accompany the meal. And last but not least, a professional team of flight attendants ensures an unforgettable stay on board.
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